Auburn quarterback Jarrett Stidham (middle, orange jersey) was limited on the first day of spring practices due to offseason surgery. Ryan Davis (23) was in a non-contact jersey after shoulder surgery in the offseason.(Photo11: Matthew Stevens/Advertiser)Buy Photo

AUBURN — Fans coming to Jordan-Hare Stadium hoping to see Jarrett Stidham next month during Auburn's spring game might want to reconsider.

Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn said Thursday he’s still unsure whether he wants his junior quarterback, who has been limited due to offseason shoulder surgery, to participate in the exhibition game April 7.

Stidham was seen throwing sporadically Thursday in the first media viewing window following the campus’ spring break, but he wasn’t running the first-team offense during the pace period drill.

Malik Willis, who has been taking first-team reps throughout the spring, was behind center again Thursday with the first-team offense, but Malzahn seemed encouraged at having Stidham back fully healthy for August camp.

“We'll see where he's at,” Malzahn said. “Like I said, he did throw with the receivers (Thursday) in some 1-on-1 stuff. We'll go 7-on-7 on Tuesday, I know he'll do that. He'll do some team. We'll just see where he's at.”

Joey Gatewood, an early enrollee and former four-star prospect from the 2018 recruiting class, has been taking second-team snaps during spring drills.

Stidham has been limited throughout the spring but removed the sling that his left, non-throwing shoulder was in throughout the winter after a relatively minor cleanup procedure following the 2017 season.

Malzahn has been quick to point out that none of Auburn’s quarterbacks are made live for contact throughout the entire spring, so Stidham being in an orange jersey shouldn’t be seen as out of the ordinary. Malzahn remains uncommitted if the projected returning starter will participate before Auburn ends its NCAA-allotted 15 spring practices.

“I know he's ready to get back out there,” Malzahn said. “You know, there's something to be said for your leader being out there and all that. But at the same time, I think it's been really good for him to sit back in the big picture and see things from a little bit different standpoint. I know he's been really good for our young quarterbacks, (Stidham) really trying to help them and trying to coach them up on the details and everything that goes with that.”

Stidham finished the 2017 regular season leading the Southeastern Conference in completion percentage (66.7) and had 3,158 yards passing with 18 touchdowns and just six interceptions.

“I know he's antsy. He's ready to get back out there. It was really good to see him throwing with the receivers today,” Malzahn said. “We'll get them back out there with the 7-on-7 with the offense, I know it'll be a really good thing for him. At the same time, I think I said this earlier, he's a veteran guy, and it was good to get those young guys reps — especially Malik going with the ones a lot. And it's good for Joey (Gatewood) to get more reps that he normally would, too. I think it's going to be a good thing as far as next year's concerned.”